A dreary Saturday morning it was. The temperature had plummeted below 35 degrees - something quite unheard of for this time of the year in Dallas.. 6:30 in the morning she stepped out on her balcony only to be with greeted with icy cold air. She hugged her shawl closer, looking longingly at the warm bed. It took every ounce of her will power to ignore the warmth and comfort which the bed can provide ... she cannot afford to be swayed, she had to stick to the plan... she just had to! The moment of weekness was soon gone!
The drive was uneventful really, with just a couple of cars racing past her. She wondered - is it something she can do .. is it really in her?
She stepped out of her car - some of her team mates were already there. The wind close to the lake was cooler. While others chit chatted, she stared at the grey sky. Her mind almost blank, her finger numb, but her determination getting stronger by the minutes.
Finally the run started! Some of her team mates passed her -most offering a smiles - some encouraging words. She ran - feeling the freezing air on her face. It was almost painful but she kept going. The pain in her legs almost forgotten.
She kept going - stopping occasionally to catch her breath!
Half way she saw the flakes .. they were small ....floating in the air ... touching her face ever so gently, making her face even more cold. It was almost beautiful ..
Mundane thoughts crossed her mind while she ran....the bill that was still unpaid, the email she needed to send out, the friend she needed to call! These thought distracted her .. made her keep going ...
And finally she was done .. it took her almost 3 hours - maybe a couple of minutes shy. It was exhilarating, it was a sense of accomplishment. She did it - she completed her first 9 MILES!!!!
-------------
Alright, enough with the drama .. i was thinking of how to make a 9 mile run dramatic .. so gave it a shot ..so it was me completing 9 miles on the routine Saturday morning ...
wonder if the attempt to dramatize my run/walk worked ????
I have a Date!!
Time to take some radical measures !!! Enough is enough ... I have a freaking marathon to run and I cant get past 6 miles ... About time I did something about it !!!!
So I set up a DATE ~
which basically in Guptaville means that with the best 'sad puppy look' I can come up with (not a good one .. i can tell you that) I implore Husband to come out with me and finally he relents (i think the phrase 'please honey' was used several time- )
Day : Saturday 31st March, 2007
Time : 11:30 AM
Place : White Rock Lake
Activity : Run 8 miles
In return I make him raajma/rice for dinner!!!
well marriage is all about compromise - right !!! Wrong - its about doing a PhD in Compromise :)
So I set up a DATE ~
which basically in Guptaville means that with the best 'sad puppy look' I can come up with (not a good one .. i can tell you that) I implore Husband to come out with me and finally he relents (i think the phrase 'please honey' was used several time- )
Day : Saturday 31st March, 2007
Time : 11:30 AM
Place : White Rock Lake
Activity : Run 8 miles
In return I make him raajma/rice for dinner!!!
well marriage is all about compromise - right !!! Wrong - its about doing a PhD in Compromise :)
Lesson Learnt !
6 still seems to be the peak here!!! Its like Sprint stock - goes up once and then just keeps tumbling down and down... and then further down.
Fine so i failed analogy 101, big deal !!!
i just checked my 401k, hence, the Sprint stock reference.
Since the last 6 miles (and last post), some how or the other havent been able to run more than 6 miles (we will look at that phrase in more detail) -
Somehow
Well suddenly waking up Saturday morning is becoming the hardest thing to do (Husband slacking off as well)
or the other
thanks to a squabble with Husband, friday nite i got all dressed up (in my new Gym outfit - thank you very much!) and with music blaring in my ears started the run around my apartment complex. I ran .. and ran .. and ran ... and when i wasnt angry anymore decided to head home thinking I have completed close to 7 miles. Well not exactly ... next day when Husband and I made up, and we drove around the same path so that he can applaud my effort and run, it was more like 5 miles. Dont get me wrong, trying to be supportive, he did say nice things, but oh well .. i was bummed out.
Lesson learnt - need to have a bigger fight with husband to get past the 6 miles mark !!!!!!
Fine so i failed analogy 101, big deal !!!
i just checked my 401k, hence, the Sprint stock reference.
Since the last 6 miles (and last post), some how or the other havent been able to run more than 6 miles (we will look at that phrase in more detail) -
Somehow
Well suddenly waking up Saturday morning is becoming the hardest thing to do (Husband slacking off as well)
or the other
thanks to a squabble with Husband, friday nite i got all dressed up (in my new Gym outfit - thank you very much!) and with music blaring in my ears started the run around my apartment complex. I ran .. and ran .. and ran ... and when i wasnt angry anymore decided to head home thinking I have completed close to 7 miles. Well not exactly ... next day when Husband and I made up, and we drove around the same path so that he can applaud my effort and run, it was more like 5 miles. Dont get me wrong, trying to be supportive, he did say nice things, but oh well .. i was bummed out.
Lesson learnt - need to have a bigger fight with husband to get past the 6 miles mark !!!!!!
Shopping List !!!!
Knowing my commitment issues I was told (by Husband of course - who else) I will get to shop only after I follow the running regime for 3-4 weeks to ensure that I am going to DO THIS !!!
And now the time has finally come --
I get to go on a shopping spree now :)
First things first I need to head to a shoe clinic (didnt know there was one) to get fitted.
So here is the list as it stands now -
Shoes - $120 (would prefer blue and white)
Cute gym outfits (slacks, T shirts, shorts, skirts .. OH YEA .. The whole Deal) - $200+
The earring I saw the other day - $20 (just coz)
Tote bag (just need to throw that in there) - $85
Summer Dress (to wear after the marathon is over) $111
Look on Hubbies face when he sees the list - PRICELESS,
For everything else I have his visa/mastercard/discover/american express/ whatever !!!!!!!
And now the time has finally come --
I get to go on a shopping spree now :)
First things first I need to head to a shoe clinic (didnt know there was one) to get fitted.
So here is the list as it stands now -
Shoes - $120 (would prefer blue and white)
Cute gym outfits (slacks, T shirts, shorts, skirts .. OH YEA .. The whole Deal) - $200+
The earring I saw the other day - $20 (just coz)
Tote bag (just need to throw that in there) - $85
Summer Dress (to wear after the marathon is over) $111
Look on Hubbies face when he sees the list - PRICELESS,
For everything else I have his visa/mastercard/discover/american express/ whatever !!!!!!!
Yippie !!!!
Time to celebrate - I ran 6 miles yesterday for my saturday morning run - 6 freaking miles - now THAT IS ALOT!!!! Usually I am lazy when I have to drive 6 miles to pick up dinner or something .... so actually running/walking 6 miles seems like quite an accomplishment!
I do realize that I have written '6 miles' four times in the last two sentences .. but I cant stop myself :)
As expected Saturday morning my first instict was to shut the alarm and enjoy my saturday morning sleep but Husband (have to give him credit) made sure we were out and on our way by 6:30AM..
The run couldnt be better and i think i had a better time running the last 3 miles than the first 3.
I guess they are right when they say mind takes over the body after a while!
Maybe i can take up running on a regular basis .. who knows .. maybe... or its just a high that will soon wear out !!!!
You know what would have been perfect after the run - a mimosa brunch and a long nap (remember the reward I need) and even though i did hint at it on our drive back but it was easily ignored with one swift hand motion :(
Oh well .. cant let it ruin my first Maramini, Minithon, Mara-nugget, Nuggathon (call it whatever you may)
P.S. - I did get lost during the run and went in a different direction (directionally challeneged as always) so i think i ran a total of 6.2 miles
I do realize that I have written '6 miles' four times in the last two sentences .. but I cant stop myself :)
As expected Saturday morning my first instict was to shut the alarm and enjoy my saturday morning sleep but Husband (have to give him credit) made sure we were out and on our way by 6:30AM..
The run couldnt be better and i think i had a better time running the last 3 miles than the first 3.
I guess they are right when they say mind takes over the body after a while!
Maybe i can take up running on a regular basis .. who knows .. maybe... or its just a high that will soon wear out !!!!
You know what would have been perfect after the run - a mimosa brunch and a long nap (remember the reward I need) and even though i did hint at it on our drive back but it was easily ignored with one swift hand motion :(
Oh well .. cant let it ruin my first Maramini, Minithon, Mara-nugget, Nuggathon (call it whatever you may)
P.S. - I did get lost during the run and went in a different direction (directionally challeneged as always) so i think i ran a total of 6.2 miles
Bummer !!!
Alright so things didnt exactly go as planned this last saturday for my first 4 miles!
Waking up was a challenge as expected but the head banging Metallica music on our alarm was loud and continous to make us wake up.
The 20 miles drive was real nice but then being a little directionally challenged we werent able to meet up with our Team.
So what ended up happening is we drove about 20 miles early on a saturday morning and then just ran 2 miles !!! 2 miles - which I thought was 3 miles (distance challenged as well)... NOT GOOD !!!
Oh Well :(
Waking up was a challenge as expected but the head banging Metallica music on our alarm was loud and continous to make us wake up.
The 20 miles drive was real nice but then being a little directionally challenged we werent able to meet up with our Team.
So what ended up happening is we drove about 20 miles early on a saturday morning and then just ran 2 miles !!! 2 miles - which I thought was 3 miles (distance challenged as well)... NOT GOOD !!!
Oh Well :(
Surprise Surprise
At the end of one month I guess in a way I did end up surprising myself –
I guess I can enjoy running – as long as it is outside, weather is good, iPod is charged and has some good music. Also, there must be a reward waiting at the end of the run (usually chocolate) and the sun moon and earth are aligned !!!
Running is better when we both (me and Husband) do it together!
I am now on 3.5 miles ready to run my first 4 miles tomorrow morning.
Not started shedding lbs yet .. but surprisingly Husband is getting all fit and lean like there is no tomorrow !!! (what is with that – why is it harder for women to lose weight? Maybe the chocolate .. who knows !!!) This is not a good surprise!
I am actually looking forward to my run tomorrow - saturday morning at 6:30am :)
I guess I can enjoy running – as long as it is outside, weather is good, iPod is charged and has some good music. Also, there must be a reward waiting at the end of the run (usually chocolate) and the sun moon and earth are aligned !!!
Running is better when we both (me and Husband) do it together!
I am now on 3.5 miles ready to run my first 4 miles tomorrow morning.
Not started shedding lbs yet .. but surprisingly Husband is getting all fit and lean like there is no tomorrow !!! (what is with that – why is it harder for women to lose weight? Maybe the chocolate .. who knows !!!) This is not a good surprise!
I am actually looking forward to my run tomorrow - saturday morning at 6:30am :)
My First 2 Miles -
So we start running and I kid you not – after 4 minutes I turn to the person running next to me asking her –
Me: “Are we close to a mile now?”
Her: HAHAHHAAH !!!!!
Her: “No sweetie – more like 1/4th of a mile”
Me: “What ???? R u serious … it feels like a mile”
Her: “it will get better ..trust me”
Me: “What ???? R u serious … it feels like a mile”
Her: HAHAH !!!
Me: "Damn!"
Run run .. walk . walk .. breathe … look around to see if anyone is watching and if I can lie down for just a bit –
Well there were people all around so a nap wasn’t a great idea. !!!!
But I did complete the 2 miles that day – huffing and puffing, all red in the face I completed my 2 miles. The rest of Saturday was spend in bed not moving AT ALL !!
Me: “Are we close to a mile now?”
Her: HAHAHHAAH !!!!!
Her: “No sweetie – more like 1/4th of a mile”
Me: “What ???? R u serious … it feels like a mile”
Her: “it will get better ..trust me”
Me: “What ???? R u serious … it feels like a mile”
Her: HAHAH !!!
Me: "Damn!"
Run run .. walk . walk .. breathe … look around to see if anyone is watching and if I can lie down for just a bit –
Well there were people all around so a nap wasn’t a great idea. !!!!
But I did complete the 2 miles that day – huffing and puffing, all red in the face I completed my 2 miles. The rest of Saturday was spend in bed not moving AT ALL !!
The Beginnings -
I headed for my first group training session …….. how hard could it be – I run 2 miles (the coach promised I can run and walk … whew !!!), meet new people, get the ball rolling! Right ??
Wrong – Soooo Wrong!!
It was tough –
Now here is the deal – I have a tough time waking up in the morning on a weekday .. so waking up at 7:00AM on a Saturday - so that I could put my sneakers on and start running on a cold windy Saturday morning – not motivating at all .. !!!!( It didn’t help that I was out partying with my friends the night before .. well whats a girl gotta do .. It was Friday nite.!!!!)
However, I wasn’t the only one up at 7:00 on a Saturday (surprisingly mornings exist on week ends as well .. I wouldn’t have known) but my team members were there as well and so was my honored hero – Ethan ,all happy and smiley at 7:30 in the morning.
Wrong – Soooo Wrong!!
It was tough –
Now here is the deal – I have a tough time waking up in the morning on a weekday .. so waking up at 7:00AM on a Saturday - so that I could put my sneakers on and start running on a cold windy Saturday morning – not motivating at all .. !!!!( It didn’t help that I was out partying with my friends the night before .. well whats a girl gotta do .. It was Friday nite.!!!!)
However, I wasn’t the only one up at 7:00 on a Saturday (surprisingly mornings exist on week ends as well .. I wouldn’t have known) but my team members were there as well and so was my honored hero – Ethan ,all happy and smiley at 7:30 in the morning.
How it all began –
So here is the deal – I consider myself “well fed” but others don’t really agree with me – especially Husband as he points 'lovingly' at my multiple love handles.
(the whole idea of "there is more of you to love when you are 15 lbs heavier - not really his style)
Like every year this New Year started with the same resolution as always – lose weight!!! Considering that I am allergic to the gym and dieting and absolutely in love with food (carbs, chocolates, anything unhealthy) – it has been one of those resolutions that always fails. This time – the TNT pamphlet sitting on the table (as I bonded with Coco - check previous blog) seemed just the answer I was looking for. Running a marathon would definitely help me shed some pounds and with that thought in mind – I headed for their info session.
That was an eye opener – and suddenly losing weight was no longer the reason to pursue this – meeting with families that have lost someone to Leukimia or lymphoma... or kids who are going through chemotherapy or people who have fought the battle and are in remission was over whelming to say the least. I was struck by the positive attitude, and strength of so many individuals and the volunteers for the TNT who so genuinely were dedicated to the cause of raising awareness and funds for research for these diseases. I wanted to be a part of this cause … I needed to be a part of this… – and so there I was .. registering for the event, getting T shirts and of course all the while thinking – how in the world will I ever be able to run a marathon!!!
(the whole idea of "there is more of you to love when you are 15 lbs heavier - not really his style)
Like every year this New Year started with the same resolution as always – lose weight!!! Considering that I am allergic to the gym and dieting and absolutely in love with food (carbs, chocolates, anything unhealthy) – it has been one of those resolutions that always fails. This time – the TNT pamphlet sitting on the table (as I bonded with Coco - check previous blog) seemed just the answer I was looking for. Running a marathon would definitely help me shed some pounds and with that thought in mind – I headed for their info session.
That was an eye opener – and suddenly losing weight was no longer the reason to pursue this – meeting with families that have lost someone to Leukimia or lymphoma... or kids who are going through chemotherapy or people who have fought the battle and are in remission was over whelming to say the least. I was struck by the positive attitude, and strength of so many individuals and the volunteers for the TNT who so genuinely were dedicated to the cause of raising awareness and funds for research for these diseases. I wanted to be a part of this cause … I needed to be a part of this… – and so there I was .. registering for the event, getting T shirts and of course all the while thinking – how in the world will I ever be able to run a marathon!!!
Confessions of a Couch Potato
Not many people know this but because of the long standing relation I have with my couch – I had to give it a name. Considering that I am not very creative the obvious name that I came up with was CoCo (so what if it sounds stupid .. it FITS !!!!) Well my TV has a name as well .. but that discussion will be reserved for some other day.
My couch has a permanent imprint of my *Tushie*– it is like a memory foam now ... SOOOO comfortable and almost therapeutic.
Sitting on it provides me with the best angle for the television, kitchen, balcony view .. and easy access to the plate of Lays potato chips, m&ms and ginger ale (umm .. sometimes beer) on the table.
Access to the bathroom is also very convenient from my spot – (all that ginger ale, beer .. gotta be close to a bathroom)
Some of the very important decisions of my life has been take in Coco's company – including the decision to run a marathon.
My couch has a permanent imprint of my *Tushie*– it is like a memory foam now ... SOOOO comfortable and almost therapeutic.
Sitting on it provides me with the best angle for the television, kitchen, balcony view .. and easy access to the plate of Lays potato chips, m&ms and ginger ale (umm .. sometimes beer) on the table.
Access to the bathroom is also very convenient from my spot – (all that ginger ale, beer .. gotta be close to a bathroom)
Some of the very important decisions of my life has been take in Coco's company – including the decision to run a marathon.
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